Murton’s Child Development closing after 56 years

Murton’s Child Development Center, where generations of Westshore children attended preschool or day care classes, will close its doors for good Oct. 5.

Hajni Fekete, Murton’s executive director, confirmed the closing to West Life. Fekete, who said she had been with Murton’s 27 years, said the center is closing its doors because the building has been sold but declined to discuss any further details.

The building that now houses Murton’s, located at 21500 Lorain Road, had been a bank before the preschool moved there in 2002.

A request was made through Fekete to Murton’s owner for additional information about the closing, but no response has been forthcoming.

According to a 2010 child care license issued by the state and obtained from Cuyahoga County, Murton’s owner is Steva Corporation.

It’s unclear whether any attempt was made to sell the business instead of close it. Murton’s reportedly cares for and teaches about 85 students and employs 18 persons.

Christine Harder, whose two children attend Murton’s, said a letter given to parents Sept. 17 was the first indication that the center was closing.

“A lot of moms were in tears, including me,” Harder told West Life.

She was so angry that parents were given so little warning of the closing that she wrote to Mayor Eileen Patton about the situation.

“We’re extremely upset,” Harder said, adding that she and her children have been very happy with the child care at Murton’s

Harder’s two children will soon go to a day care center in Rocky River, but “only because we have to,” she said.

Another mother, who only gave her first name of Kim, is still scrambling to find a new day care facility for her three kids.

“There are waiting lists everywhere,” she said, adding that day care is a necessity because she works.

Like Harder, Kim was fond of Murton’s.

“My kids love it here. I love it here,” she said. “The people are wonderful.”